Links to Additional Resources

In addition to the tools developed by the Harvard Prevention Research Center, many additional nutrition- and physical activity-related resources are available. Click on a link below to see additional resources under each category:

Nutrition Resources

Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School is a program aimed at increasing healthy eating and physical activity in the school environment. The program endorses the “5-2-1-0” message, which emphasizes the importance of: 5 or more fruits & vegetables, 2 hours or less recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks, more water & low fat milk.Through use of the Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School framework, schools, teachers, nutrition programs, and parents can create a healthier school environment.

A portal that provides access to data and resources that can help planners, program staff, and researchers to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based cancer control programs. Planet Health is recommended by Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. as a research-tested intervention program.

A wealth of information and resources from DNPAO, which leads strategic public health efforts to prevent and control obesity, chronic disease, and other health conditions though regular physical activity and good nutrition.

A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [June 14, 1996/45 (RR-9); 1–33] that summarizes strategies most likely to be effective in promoting healthy eating among school-age youths and provides nutrition education guidelines for a comprehensive school health program.

Its mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives. Human Kinetics is the publisher of the Planet Health and Eat Well & Keep Moving curricula, which are designed to promote healthy eating and encourage physical activity among middle and elementary school students, respectively.

A thematic research network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Research Center Program. Its mission is to conduct transdisciplinary nutrition- and obesity-related policy research and evaluation. The work of NOPREN members will help foster understanding of the effectiveness of policies related to preventing childhood obesity through improved access to affordable, healthy foods and beverages in a variety of settings.

Maintained by the Department of Nutrition at the HSPH, this website aims to provide timely, evidence-based information on diet and nutrition for clinicians, allied health professionals, and the public. Expert faculty from the Department of Nutrition and other invited experts review all content before it is posted on the site, and all content is re-reviewed regularly.

A national program of RWJF that supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent childhood obesity, especially among low-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity.

An initiative of the United States Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity.

Physical Activity Resources

Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School is a program aimed at increasing healthy eating and physical activity in the school environment. The program endorses the “5-2-1-0” message, which emphasizes the importance of: 5 or more fruits & vegetables, 2 hours or less recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks, more water & low fat milk.Through use of the Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School framework, schools, teachers, nutrition programs, and parents can create a healthier school environment.

A portal that provides access to data and resources that can help planners, program staff, and researchers to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based cancer control programs. Planet Health is recommended by Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. as a research-tested intervention program.

A wealth of information and resources from DNPAO, which leads strategic public health efforts to prevent and control obesity, chronic disease, and other health conditions though regular physical activity and good nutrition.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [March 7, 1997 / Vol. 46 / No. RR-6] that summarizes recommendations for encouraging physical activity among young people so that they will continue to engage in physical activity in adulthood and obtain the benefits of physical activity throughout life.

Its mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives. Human Kinetics is the publisher of the Planet Health and Eat Well & Keep Moving curricula, which are designed to promote healthy eating and encourage physical activity among middle and elementary school students, respectively.

A national program of RWJF that supports research to identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical activity with a focus on active living related to youth in low-income and high-risk communities.

VERB™ It’s what you do. was a national, multicultural, social marketing campaign coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The VERB campaign encouraged tweens (youth age 9-13) to be physically active every day. The campaign combined paid advertising, marketing strategies, and partnership efforts to reach the distinct audiences of tweens. Other important audiences were parents and adult influencers, including teachers, youth leaders, physical education and health professionals, pediatricians, health care providers, coaches, and others.

One of three modeling networks within the NCCOR Envision Project, COMnet is a project to connect leading childhood obesity modelers. Groups use a variety of statistical models to study trends in obesity and the impact of various causes of the epidemic in multiple countries. The team from Harvard and Columbia Universities (Steve Gortmaker and Y. Claire Wang) have focused on modeling changes in obesity rates in the U.S., and have estimated the “energy gap” responsible for changes in weight distribution among children and teens.

A project of NCCOR to coordinate and support computational and statistical modeling efforts to forecast the impact of public health policies and interventions on childhood obesity on a population-wide level and among specific subpopulations.

Federal Highway Administration Safe Routes to School

Information about and resources related to the Safe Routes to School Program, which provides funds to states to substantially improve the ability of primary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.

This center assists communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to school. The Center strives to equip Safe Routes to School programs with the knowledge and technical information to implement safe and successful strategies.

A thematic research network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Research Center Program. Its mission is to conduct transdisciplinary nutrition- and obesity-related policy research and evaluation. The work of NOPREN members will help foster understanding of the effectiveness of policies related to preventing childhood obesity through improved access to affordable, healthy foods and beverages in a variety of settings.

A national program of RWJF that supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent childhood obesity, especially among low-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity.

A national program of RWJF that supports research to identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical activity with a focus on active living related to youth in low-income and high-risk communities.

Clinical Resources

Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School is a program aimed at increasing healthy eating and physical activity in the school environment. The program endorses the “5-2-1-0” message, which emphasizes the importance of: 5 or more fruits & vegetables, 2 hours or less recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks, more water & low fat milk.Through use of the Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Goes to School framework, schools, teachers, nutrition programs, and parents can create a healthier school environment.

An organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The website contains information regarding the Academy’s many programs and activities, policies and guidelines, and publications and other child health resources.

A subgroup of Prevention Research Centers (PRCs), the CPCRN provides an infrastructure for applying relevant research to local cancer prevention and control needs. Its members conduct community-based participatory cancer research across its ten network centers, crossing academic affiliations and geographic boundaries.

Improving Chronic Illness Care (ICIC) believes that: (1) people can lead better, healthier lives; (2) providers who care for chronically ill patients can be better supported with evidence-based guidelines, specialty expertise, and information systems; and (3) overall health care costs can be lowered through better care delivery by transforming what is currently a reactive health care system into one that keeps its patients as healthy as possible through planning, proven strategies and management. ICIC is supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Active Transport Resources

Federal Highway Administration Safe Routes to School

Information about and resources related to the Safe Routes to School Program, which provides funds to states to substantially improve the ability of primary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.

This center assists communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to school. The Center strives to equip Safe Routes to School programs with the knowledge and technical information to implement safe and successful strategies.

Screen Time Resources

The Center on Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Public Health is dedicated to understanding and responding to the effects of media on the physical, mental, and social health of children through research, production, and education.

An organization created by the founders of National Institute on Media and the Family. The mission of Mind Positive Parenting is to equip parents and communities to raise children and youth who can thrive, meeting the challenges of the 21st Century. They do this by: Translating brain science into helpful strategies for raising resilient children and youth; developing digital literacies and citizenship; preparing children and youth for global competition and cooperation; equipping children for school success; and fostering social competence and caring.

The tools and resources previously found on the MediaWise.org website are now on ParentFurther.com. ParentFurther.com is a one-stop site for parents and caring adults to gather resources, tools, and tips to help them raise caring, healthy, responsible, successful kids.

Search Institute and the National Institute on Media and the Family

A nationally recognized authority on media which was forced to close its doors at the end of 2009. After providing a great deal of useful research and resources to parents, teachers, and other caring adults for 13 years, the closing of the Institute was a sad day for the positive youth development field. Fortunately, NIMF transfered its award-winning programs, including Say Yes to No, Switch, and through-U to Search Institute, where they continue helping families make positive, values-based decisions about technology and media.

VERB™ It’s what you do. was a national, multicultural, social marketing campaign coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The VERB campaign encouraged tweens (youth age 9-13) to be physically active every day. The campaign combined paid advertising, marketing strategies, and partnership efforts to reach the distinct audiences of tweens. Other important audiences were parents and adult influencers, including teachers, youth leaders, physical education and health professionals, pediatricians, health care providers, coaches, and others.

Other Harvard School of Public Health Resources

The home department for the Harvard Prevention Research Center (HPRC); its mission is to improve health throughout the lifespan, including a special emphasis on children and adolescents. Focuses on research to identify the social and behavioral determinants of health, development and evaluation of interventions and policies leading to the improvement of population health, and the preparation of professionals and researchers who will fill leadership positions in advocacy and public service.

Maintained by the Department of Nutrition at the HSPH, this website aims to provide timely, evidence-based information on diet and nutrition for clinicians, allied health professionals, and the public. Expert faculty from the Department of Nutrition and other invited experts review all content before it is posted on the site, and all content is re-reviewed regularly.

City of Boston Agencies

The mission of Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) is to enhance the quality of life for Boston’s residents by supporting children, youth and families through a wide range of programs and services. Click here for a list of BCYF Community Centers.

This BPHC Division takes a lead role in the Commission’s initiatives to reduce the overall burden of chronic disease and address disparities in outcomes, treatment, and related services. They focus on improving the public health system across the continuum of: preventing, screening andearly detection, and controlling and treating chronic disease. Healthy Eating and Active Living is one Program of this Division.

A public education campaign to raise awareness of the disparities in breast cancer survival faced by Black women in Boston. Black women are more likely to die after being diagnosed with breast cancer than women of other races. The campaign aims to empower Black women to “See your doctor. Get screened. Get treatment.” Today, the Pink and Black Ambassadors have become local spokeswomen for the issue. The Commission continues to work to eliminate racial health disparities on the community, system, and policy level.

As the birthplace of public education in this nation, the Boston Public Schools is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. They partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

Through FNS, Boston Public Schools offer nutritious breakfast and lunch to all students at low or no cost, determined by family income. They also supply snacks to afterschool programs and breakfast and lunch to summer meal sites across the city.

The Health and Wellness Department actively promotes the health and wellness of all students to support both their healthy development and readiness to learn. The Department works to increase physical fitness, nutrition, and health education in every school.

DELTAS is the office within Boston Public Schools charged with managing the school district’s out-of-school time (OST) involvement. The mission of DELTAS is to ensure that every student in Boston Public Schools has access to quality out-of-school time activities and extended services. DELTAS helps remove barriers to learning and promotes well-rounded, successful students through collaborations with community agencies, health organizations, higher education institutions, families, and other government agencies.

Massachusetts Agencies

The Child Nutrition Programs administered by the Massachusetts Department of Education contribute to the health and well being of the Commonwealth’s children, by supporting nutritious meal service in day care centers, family day care homes, summer feeding programs and schools.

School Health Services in comprised of both regional and central office professional staff who collaborate with other Department of Public Health programs and the Massachusetts Department of Education to provide ongoing school health service systems development and technical assistance to the Commonwealth’s 351 public school districts and approximately 600 nonpublic schools. This represents approximately 880,000 public school students and 120,000 nonpublic school students.

A wealth of information and resources from DNPAO, which leads strategic public health efforts to prevent and control obesity, chronic disease, and other health conditions though regular physical activity and good nutrition.

Testimony of J.L. Gerberding, Director of the CDC, before the Committee on Appropriations of February 17, 2003 regarding Steps to a Healthier US, a program that made substantial awards to states and communities to implement effective public health strategies for reducing the burden of diabetes, obesity, and asthma in their populations.

An initiative of the United States Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity.

Oral health is an integral part of overall health. Good oral health is influenced by a number of factors including beliefs, culture, social and economic conditions, and physical environment. The DentaQuest Foundation works in collaboration with local, state, and national partners, to reduce health inequities, highlight prevention, foster civic engagement, and influence systems that promote oral health beyond the clinical setting.

A funder of several HPRC projects; RWJF is an independent philanthropy devoted to improving health policy and practice and has several program areas, including childhood obesity, public health, and vulnerable populations.

A national program of RWJF that supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent childhood obesity, especially among low-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity.

A national program of RWJF that supports research to identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical activity with a focus on active living related to youth in low-income and high-risk communities.

The Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center is a member of the Prevention Research Centers Program, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cooperative agreement number 1-U48-DP-001946.